PHISHING ATTEMPT REMIDER

Unfortunately, individuals continue to send emails and texts - appearing to be from St. Paul’s clergy and staff - requesting gifts and/or sensitive information. Please protect yourself and your assets by staying alert and never divulging sensitive information to unknown sources. Report phishing attempts to relevant authorities and educate others to prevent falling prey.

SHARING CHRIST'S LOVE

Parishioner Scot Matkovich shares the following reflection:

When we adopted our son, Alicia and I joined several communities. One was the community of joyful parents of infants. Another was the community of successful adopters, which at the same time meant that we were leaving the community of expectant but seemingly eternally-waiting pre-adoptive parents. The third type of community was one that we would not have chosen, but was inextricably bound with the other two – and that is the community of rare diseases.

A metabolic disorder that could be treated by careful diet restrictions and some supplements didn’t seem beyond our capabilities. However, we were soon to find out that this wasn’t the only genetic glitch that was going to present a challenge. There was a second, which has made a much greater difference in all of our lives.

Anyone who has met our son knows that he is special. To badly paraphrase a famous novel, all God’s children are special, but some are more special than others. There are great strengths amongst those with his syndrome, but also great challenges. One of those challenges is finding a community that will really accept him for who he is; even when that acceptance requires being open to difficulties that a community may not have had to accommodate before.

When we moved to Indianapolis over five years ago, we were surprised by grace in many ways. We were blessed with a home that had been lovingly cared for by its previous owners, who you may well know; a couple named John and Stephanie. We had performed a little research into churches and started attending one of the first candidates (in all honesty the list was not long). Nonetheless, when we received some mail addressed to the previous home owners, whose taste in books and furnishings we had appreciated when considering homes, we realized that John was a Reverend. In brief, we tracked him down to St Paul’s and found ourselves instantly welcomed from the start. It helps that Alicia sings and was recruited to the choir on our first visit, but if we hadn’t found a good fit for our son I’m not sure we would have stayed.

So many people at St Paul’s have shown him God’s love by stepping up and making room for his challenges, helping him to participate as fully as he can in the life of this church community. It’s never easy to be different to a majority. St Paul’s has made demonstrable and expanding efforts to welcome in folks of all backgrounds, especially for those whose ethnic background and/or gender identity have led them to feel excluded from other groups. Having been called to the rare disease community, perhaps the gift our family has for St. Paul’s is to help make it even more a place where the neurodiverse and the differently abled are not only tolerated and accepted, but celebrated and supported.

Scot Matkovich, St. Paul's Parishioner

CHORAL MATTINS

Sunday, April 14, 11:15 a.m., Sanctuary

Join us for the morning version of Choral Evensong. St. Paul’s Choir sings responses, canticles, the psalm and anthem. Featuring music by Henry Lawes, Margaret Burk, Herbert Howells and more. Communion from the reserved sacrament will be available.

NEWCOMER TOUR

Sunday, April 14, 10:15-11 a.m., meet in the Sanctuary after the 9 a.m. service. Please join the Rev. Jeff Bower for a guided tour of the places and spaces we call St. Paul's. Questions, click here to email the Rev. Jeff Bower. Please click here to see upcoming Newcomer opportunities on April 28 and May 12.

ADULT FAITH FORUM :: STRESS LESS

Sunday, April 14, 10:15-11 a.m., Parish Hall

Join us as the Wellness Team presents "Stress Less Through Mindfulness." April is Stress Awareness Month. All will explore the default stress response and how simple Mindfulness practices enable us to respond, rather than react, to stressors. Questions, click here to email Carrie Bernhardt.

THREE CHOIRS FESTIVAL :: CHORAL EVENSONG AT TRINITY

Sunday, April 21, 5 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church

Guest conductor Maxine Thévenot (Director of Cathedral Music, Episcopal Cathedral of St. John, Albuquerque, NM) will lead singers from St. Paul’s, Trinity, and Christ Church Cathedral. This weekend-long festival of music making will culminate with Choral Evensong at Trinity, featuring over 100 singers. Click here for details.

"CELEBRATE ST. PAUL'S" IS TWO WEEKS AWAY!

Saturday, April 27, 6-9 p.m., Parish Hall and St. Paul's buildings

Get ready to indulge in an evening filled with lively entertainment, delicious snacks and boundless fun. Together, we'll kickstart our efforts to make a positive impact in our community while celebrating the joy of giving back. Don't miss out on this opportunity to mingle, dance and contribute to a worthy cause. Please RSVP below to indicate your availability and preferences:

HAVE AUCTION ITEMS/GIFT CARDS?

The "Celebrate St. Paul's" auction committee is collecting gift cards for: restaurants, spa and salon services, flower arrangements, movie theaters, performance/sporting event tickets, family activities (bowling alley, art lessons, clothing stores). All gift cards may be sent to Liz Hoffman in the St. Paul's office. Questions or to discuss auction items, please contact Debra Maley, 317.691.6841 or Ed Stewart, 317.698.6979. 

GRADUATE RECOGNITION

We would like to pray for and recognize class of 2024 graduates in the St. Paul's community. Please assist us in honoring those graduating from high school, undergraduate and graduate school. If you, your child or your grandchild is graduating in 2024, please click here to email Meegan Kriner with the name, photo and details you wish to share. Graduates will be recognized and prayed for on Sunday, May 19.

STRIVING FOR JUSTICE

MLK CLEANING DRIVE

Household cleaning supplies collected on April 14, 21 & 28

St Paul’s Lay Clergy Group is collecting cleaning and hygiene supplies for MLK families as they seek transitional housing and/or support. Please click the link below for a list of supplies requested. Donated items may be placed in the collection box in Burrows Commons. Questions, please click here to email Janie Frazier.

FJA GRANT DEADLINE IS MONDAY!

Faith, Justice & the Arts (FJA) is accepting Spring 2024 grant applications through April 15. Original artwork intersecting art and faith, created through music, dance, theater, literature, visual arts and/or other media will be considered. Click the button below to read terms/guidelines and apply for the current grant. Up to $25,000 will be awarded by June 1. Questions, please click here to email Kate Appel.

OUTREACH INPUT MEETING

Saturday, April 20, 11 a.m.*-3 p.m., Parish Center building

*Please note the time change (meeting will start at 11 a.m.). St. Paul’s Outreach Oversight Committee is looking at a new approach to how ministries will serve the community and promote justice and equity. If you are interested in being part of this, please plan to join us - lunch and snacks will be provided. Please RSVP below for planning purposes. Questions, please click here to email Cathy Henney, or click here to email the Rev. Beth Scriven.

ADULT LITERACY PROJECT 

St. Paul's Mission in Mombasa team is sponsoring a literacy project to provide classes to parents of Dickson Comprehensive School students. Dickson School was built to serve an area of extreme poverty in Africa. If you have a passion for helping others to help themselves through literacy, please click the button below to contribute to teacher salary, materials and childcare during class time. Questions, click here to email Barb MacDougall. Thank you in advance for your support!

CREATING COMMUNITY

ISC CHOIR CONCERT

Sunday, April 14, 3 p.m., St. Paul's Sanctuary

The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir (ISC) presents Duruflé, Requiem, Op. 9 for chorus and organ (Eric Stark, Artistic Director; David Duncan, Organ). Duruflé’s Requiem combines the mystical beauty of Gregorian chant and the delicate shades of 20th century musical impressionism. Tickets are $45/$15 students (student ID required). Click below for details and to purchase tickets now.

TGIF FILM EVENT

Friday, April 19, 6-9 p.m., Parish Hall

All adults (21+) are invited to watch the documentary film, Food, Inc., revealing shocking truths about how the corporate food industry controls how much of our food is produced and processed, sometimes genetically modified. Food, Inc. explains how corporations often put their own profit ahead of our health, the safety and health of their own workers, the livelihood of our farmers and the condition of the environment. Please plan to bring a dish to share and a beverage of your choice. Click below to RSVP to Alan Davis.

MEN'S RETREAT AT WAYCROSS

Friday, May 17-Sunday, May 19, Waycross Camp & Conference Center

Registration for Waycross Men’s Retreat is now open. The men’s retreat will focus on fellowship, sharing stories and learning Benedictine spiritual practices. There will also be plenty of free time for hiking, reading, relaxing, conversations or reflection. The retreat will be led by Br. Abraham, a monk of St. Gregory’s Abbey (a Benedictine Monastery in the Episcopal Church). Click the link below to register now. Questions, click here to email George Slenski.

LAST CHANCE FOR SPANISH CLASS

Thursdays, through May 23, 2024, 6-7 p.m., CRR

(second floor, Parish Center building)

St. Paul's parishioner and Cathedral High School Spanish teacher, Cindy Seley has a few spots left for Spanish classes at St. Paul's for just $40. Designed for all levels, you may register below and plan to join next Thursday. Questions, click here to email the Rev. Jeff Bower.

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